Ronald

Sabiá lives in Sao Paulo, but is always willing to travel. He is one of the most current Brazilian jumpers. Send me an email so I can send his. Ronald

The best cliffs (e.g. Rakekniven), and presumebly, the highest cliff (that is, the longest vertical drop) are in Queen Maud land. Just 2 problems: 1) Very inaccesable. 2) Expedition type access: long climb, very expensive. Check out the archives of National Geographic. Ronald Overdijk

I was in the Rila and Pirin Mountains this summer, hiking, no gear. There might be an exit point close to the sedempte ezero hut, on the left side, looking north. Go check it out! Ronald Overdijk

Wadi Rum? Ronald Overdijk

Nothing, really, is truly permanent. Mankinds stupidity? Ronald Overdijk

Did you consider that releasing the brakes can generate forward speed as well.... Not if you pull them down in one straight move but: 1) you have to think about it and do it, and 2) if you pull them too deep you will might stall your canopy leading to uncontrolled steering, for a while. Probably repeating, but it is considered better going for the risers. (it even gets worse if you have a twist!) I have seen a video from that too, KL tower, some years ago. Just my 2 cents. Ronald Overdijk

I must have been to slurring to much myself by that time. Ronald Overdijk

Jimmy does not drink alcohol, and here he did Positive things: 1) it did not show too much 2) he did recover quickly And, yes, it was a very nice event indeed. Ronald Overdijk

My guess: after only 1 second delay, slider up, the canopy takes way long to inflate. That creates a huge burble behind the main which causes the orbiting. Of course I might be wrong. Some other opinions? Also, not such a good idea to pitch so soon in a slider up configuration. Ronald Overdijk

Hi Jaap, Growing pains to me has another meaning: pains experienced due to uncontrolled and 2 fast growth and/or mistakes during a process. Wiki will not die but it will get a lot of flak from interested and concerned third parties. BTW, I did a post Ronald Overdijk

base 980. First of all, 1 guy from belgium, 1 guy from holland. (yep, me) Of course the object is not hot at all, especially after so many people jumping it before and after BD, and having someone break his ankle there (and we carrying him out BTW) Having a camera on the ground and showing it (not naming it) on a regional TV station in Belgium after BD, yeah, that would make an object hot in the US. But then, a link on dz.com surely helps the US authorities. As if they don't know people jump there, just look at the mail of Jason Bell, with police garding it in 2003. Bit contradictive to want the TV crew to leave to see you stand-up landings, and to want to have them there to film a stowed jump. Make up your mind I would say. We both did a hand-held for that matter, no PCA in sight. Maybe we can discuss your hard feelings standing on the same object some time in future? Regards, Ronald Overdijk

Ooops. I don't feel bad. At least not anymore after reading your experience. On the plus side though, we were buzzed through immigration and customs. Cost us less then 30 minutes Ronald Overdijk

We had an interesting control before the flight out of the US after BD. We left from Washington DC to Amsterdam. First of all, it was extremely crowded. Thank god, we could jump a line at check-in otherwise we would not have made it. And we were on the airport 2 hours before flying.... Then, I had to take my checked-in luggage including a base rig to an X-ray myself and I was through. My Belgian friend (flying to Amsterdam, of course very suspicious as the percieved drug capital - thought that honour was delegated to Wash DC?) had to take his checked-in luggage including a base rig to another X-ray machine(?). Also, no problem. The we went though the control gates. My Belgian friend was singled out because of his second base rig (not checked in). "What the h*ll was that?" the control man said, sweat appearing on his forehead. After some explanation, he called his supervisor, a small women lacking charm and humour. Lacking fun in her work as well I guess. Anyhow, he had to explain what this "thing" was. When he tried to touch his rig in order to explain the working of the PC, she went crazy, screaming "don't you touch that", as if it were a bomb. We spent 15 minutes explaining and argueing, about what we do, and were we did it. In the end, only the incomprehension of the subject and rig led them to pass him through. Then we found out he had been singled out for an extra security check. Why? Only they can tell. Interesting though that on a normal check a rig passes unnoticed, including skydiving rigs. So, no threat, no nothing. But on a special check apparantly a (base) rig is an unknown device.... Maybe some explanation to the control service would help? Anybody else with such an experience? Ronald Overdijk

Exit: 1st canopy was PCA. Doing a go&throw is possible but 1) is more dangerour because of risk of tumbling (with possibly a PC in tow) and 2) consumes more altitude. About when the 2nd canopy was deployed? I did see the jump from the bridge (and taped it) but could not really see it from that distance. It took some time before it was done which could indicate that they transition in a leg-lock took time. They could have waited however to perform the downplane above the LZ. Only themselves can really tell. And yes, I have 2 Mr.Bills, from an aircraf. Ronald Overdijk

About having very few jumpers between 3 and 3.30 pm. We landed at 2.30 and decided not to pack, as with the time it would take to do so (30 minutes) and the time to get back to the exit point (at least 20 minutes) it would not give enough time, with the lines in mind. We watched all the water landings, and some were spectacular. Of course it was our own decision but it feels a bit sad now. Next time better. Maybe some communication about expected waiting times from top to bottom would help? Another suggestion: seperate jumpers into first-timers, singles, 2 and multiple ways, specials? Regardsless of the registration order. Surely, this would speed up things. Just my 2 cents. Any, a big hands for Jason organising this. I really liked it. Ronald Overdijk

Well said Tom. But, as you might agree, any "illegal" jump (by which I mean, a jump without the owners authorisation ) seen or told about by media will influence the way the public sees our sport. This dilemma will never go away. Unless... we get authorisation to jump anything anywhere. Yeah, unlikely in the near future. Take care, Ronald

My thighs were screaming from the bruises on my legs after that many openings, and my back hurt. I can't imagine doing 50 jumps in a day, even slider up. ----------- What about all those skydivers doing 100+ (and much more) jumps in 24 hours? Of course you will be sore. Of course, when you train you will be more immune to wear and tear on your body. I do repeat my message; I guess he will be much more sore and tired from the climbing then from the jumping. Ronald

Impressive indeed! And always good to raise money for charity. However, to me it seems more an climbing endurance than a base jumping endurance. Personally, I think the 22 jumps Gary Cunningham made in 8 hours from KL tower march 2004, all packed by himself (!), are much more impressive. But, who am I to whine about positive exposure for base jumping. Good luck Miles, Ronald Overdijk

I am off to bridge day (first time in 485 jumps). Of course, I would like to make some more jumps on the road (by car from Washington DC). Could anybody contact me about possibilities? Ronald Overdijk www.liveskyproductions.nl

Excellent! Some nerve... Hmm. What's the music? Ronald Overdijk

Oral sex makes your whole day Anal sex makes your hole weak In the long run, we are all dead It's better to lose a minute in life, then life in a minute (the non-base jumper version) Ronald Overdijk

I feel I must spring to the defence of one American. - Trucker BASE, the ONLY quiet American. Which is to say the rest of the Americans DO talk 2 much and 2 loud??? Or does it mean you are so self centered you only defend yourself? BTW, all base jumpers are self centered, including myself.... Ronald Overdijk

Well. I tried to call them (Holiday Inn) like so many times, got occupied lines, and when I finally reached them (just 1 hour 15 minutes after 7 am EST) they told me they were out of rooms But, they will let you camp for $ 20 a night a tent. So I reserved a spot. You can use the toilets, showers and gym. Good luck, Ronald Overdijk

I don't think so, it's just most people don't feel the need to shout about it publically. Or maybe they are even embarrased to post here! :-P Me, I just can't help myself. :-) See you in a few weeks... Maybe, just maybe, it is the americans who feel the need to shout about publically more then the rest of the base world. Thinking of it, they feel the need in the real world as well. Ronald Overdijk

Jaap, Wake up call. This book would apply to 90% of all so-called risk sports. How is life in BC and A? I guess better then our flat country. Take care Ronald Overdijk